WiFi dongles are supposed to be used as tools for getting online via a wireless connection and not for putting them up as exhibits, right? Well, tell that to Planex; the company has just introduced a new line of collectable WiFi dongles based off popular Japanese anime characters, some of which are cute enough to probably make anybody reconsider actually connecting them to a PC at all.

Read on to find out more…

Speak of USB WiFi dongles to most people and chances are they will tell you all about how generic and uninspiring such devices tend to look, and for good reason. After all, USB WiFi dongles are designed to be nothing more than tools that allow users to connect to the Internet via a wireless connection and are not meant to draw attention to themselves. However, leave it to Japanese company PLANEX Communications to break the mould with the introduction of its new GW-USPetit line of USB WiFi dongles, which are sure to change the way you look that these tools forever.

While they may sport different designs, the hardware behind the collectible WiFi dongles are identical; hidden beneath the surface is a wireless chipset which supports the 802.11 n specifications and is capable of data transfer speeds of up to 150mbps. In addition, PLANEX has confirmed that the device is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X, so you should not have to worry about any form of hardware or driver incompatibilities when using the WiFi dongles on your operating system of choice.

Last but definitely not least, PLANEX has revealed that the dongles are based off four very popular Japanese pop culture icons, namely One Piece, Rilakkuma, Hello Kitty and more interestingly, Evangelion (in the form of Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu), and that they will all cost 3,150 yen (appox US$39) apiece, regardless of design.